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November, 2020 Work is well underway on strengthening two of Arrowtowns most iconichistoric gems, which are now under cover. Early last month work started on the Lakes District Museums massive seismic-strengthening project the last bit of funding needed came from the Central Lakes Trust by way of a $426,000 grant thatll be used to upgrade the internal displays. Director David Clarke says getting the last bit of money had been amazing. It wouldve never happened without Covid. When we got the council money [a $1.04 million grant as part of the annual plan] everyone said, thats great. I said, theres still $2.5m to get. The government followed suit and granted $2m in May, which enabled planning proper to start. Its just miraculous we got the rest of it. Starting work: The historic Lakes District Museum, which dates back to 1875, will be the first cab off the rank for seismic strengthening, with work starting next week The way it was going, we were going to have to fundraise all of that on our own, Clarke says. Were so grateful to get it going. Work on the museum, which dates back to 1875, will take a year to complete. During that time its being tented and parks outside it, on Wiltshire Street, will need to be temporarily removed. Along with the strengthening work, focused on the former Bank of New Zealand building and stables which house the museum, the building will also be restored. Across the road, The Fork and Tap is also getting ready to seismic- strengthen its main historic building, which dates back to 1874. Owner Jeannie Crawford says the total cost of the projects likely to be around $400,000. Theyre applying for funding to cover the costs at the moment. Passion project: The Fork and Tap, built in 1874, will undergo a three- month seismic strengthening project from February, but will stay open for business Itll take the main building out of action itll also go under a tent for about three months from February. But itll only shut for one day to shift the bar to the den to create an exciting, new pop-up bar, next to the courtyard. The kitchen and bathrooms will remain operational throughout, she says, but the parks on that side of Wiltshire St will also have to be removed for a bit. Both the museum and The Fork and Tap projects are employing local companies, from engineers and architects through to the builders. Thats very much our priority, Crawford says. Were not outsourcing. Clarke: Were doing it because its our duty to do it its the strategic intersection of Arrowtown, its where people love to sit at the pub and look at whats going on, and theyll have these two significant buildings restored. Youll see tents over these two buildings and there will be disruption, but its all for the better. Crawford, whos owned the building for nine years, says you dont purchase an historic building without the love for it. Its a passion project. Were doing it to protect whats iconic in Arrowtowns history. Source: Mountain Scene
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